Last year my two sons booked a 7-day cruise on the newest Carnival Ship, and it's biggest ever built, "The Magic", a brand new ship, and

on its maiden US voyage (it's been in Europe doing sea trials and test cruises). Our sons paid for our passage also as it is our 40th anniversary one day after the commencement of the cruise! Also, with them going and other relatives, it will be a party of 15 on it! The cruise will be from April 22, Sunday, through April 29, the following Sunday, docking at 8am; our anniversary is April 23! Being out to sea, I won't have internet connection (not taking anything either, no notepad or laptop, lol!) so I won't be available for comment either. But, I'll return with pix! Wish y'all could come too!

We knew exactly what we were doing when we named her Carnival Magic… and we’re sure you’ll agree.

At 1,004 feet, this amazing ship continued the Dream class tradition of large-scale bow-to-stern fun including food and entertainment space Ocean Plaza, the splashy stylings of Carnival WaterWorks, and The Lanai, a convenient and scenic half-mile outdoor wraparound promenade deck.

Carnival Magic didn’t stop there; she also introduced the world to all-new ways to have a good time onboard, and proves it with the outdoor fitness-and-fun of SportSquare, featuring the world’s first ropes course at sea. Cucina del Capitano serves up Italian favorites fit for a captain. And who can forget the RedFrog Pub, with its laid back, not-a-worry-to-be-found atmosphere… plus its exclusive, tasty, not-a-drop-to-be-found (on land, that is) beer, ThirstyFrog Red.

We sent Carnival Magic to amazing destinations, beginning with a season in Europe and now, sailing from her home port of Galveston, to some of the best destinations the Caribbean has to offer.

Well, we're finishing our packing and leaving early in the morning! Y'all have fun and fill them smokers! Going to be looking for some roasted pig on some island! And, if the tub sinks, I'll still see ya in one place or another, lol! Bon Voyage!

We're back! Apparently i have to start from scratch; I was up to 8 wpm but after 8 days, back down to 1, lol!

This is The Magic docked in Cozumel:

Definitely had a great time, had 2 alcoholic drinks the whole time; a beer in Jamaica and a Bailey's Irish cream and reg cream at the last Steakhouse Dinner (had a NY Strip and Prime Rib - absolutely delicious!). Ate pretty smart, I did indulge on fruits, but a lot better than pastries. The bacon was crappy and the little link sausages were hard as nails (sheep casing wise). But, they had a salad bar that was amazing, you'd pick out your greens and toppings, they'd mix it all for you and add dressings, etc; just delicious! The NY Strip was 2" thick and perfectly medium rare with a 2,000° flash crust that was amazing in a hi-temp furnace oven!